A free market and private enterprise work best when healthy competition prevails and citizens receive their needs and want at a price point that is competitive and provides a fair return to shareholders. But we know that is an ideal state. Private enterprise is driven by the desire to maintain a competitive advantage over competitors. It uses all the tools in management to stay ahead of the game. When extended beyond a point, it drives competitors out of competition and turns monopolistic. The free market and private enterprises secure unrestrained pricing power at this stage. In this state, the customers are losers.
Regulation is critical for a system’s health based on the free market and private enterprise. An independent body respected by all is an essential feature of a good regulator. It is here that the role of the state begins to come in. When we continue to build on this argument, we will find that certain functions like national and state security will fall under the purview of the state.
The flurry of regulatory action against large corporations like Amazon, Google, Facebook, and others in Europe, Asia, and other parts of the world illustrates the active interest of regulators in keeping monopolistic practices and costs down and the quality of citizen services up.
The role of the state extends beyond national and state security and regulation. Society contains underdogs, the disadvantaged, the poor, the vulnerable, and the weak. They, too, have the right to live and thrive. They must also be allowed to leverage their strengths and emerge as winners. Whatever system a society decides is good, it has to cater to these needs. Much of these needs can also be met by private enterprises. Private enterprises will require to be structured for this purpose.
The UNDP’s sustainable goals must be met in a fair and just society. For ready reference, here is the list of the 17 goals:
(1) No Poverty,
(2) Zero Hunger,
(3) Good Health and Well-being,
(5) Gender Equality
(6) Clean Water and Sanitation
(7) Affordable and Clean Energy
(8) Decent Work and Economic Growth
(9) Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
(10) Reduced Inequality
(11) Sustainable Cities and Communities
(12) Responsible Consumption and Production
(13) Climate Action
(14) Life Below Water
(15) Life On Land
(16) Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
(17) Partnerships for the Goals.
When we debate the role of private enterprise, we need to bear that these goals should be met, irrespective of who the provider is.
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